08/31/2026
On AI image generation, and LLMs (large language models), particularly for small business use. An official statement from Mugs 'N Mittens, and some information.
💧 There is the obvious environmental factor here that is discussed often, that the computers needed to run and generate these images consume a lot of water and energy to do so.
🎨 What I do not see discussed often enough is that these LLMs (large language models) and image generators are trained by scalping art and text from humans on the internet, without the original artists' or writers' permission.
📖 Anthropic has recently been exposed for buying, scanning, and shredding old, rare books to train their models with. There are non-destructive ways to scan books. They did not have to do this, and while it is legal, is it right? This is not "preservation," this is destruction and information hoarding.
👁 Who trains these AI models? Well, firstly, you, when you use them, are training these models to get better at stealing people's jobs. Secondly, AI companies are contracting workers in struggling areas (largely the Global South) to train their models, being overworked, underpaid, and sometimes even shown traumatic imagery in these "digital sweatshops."
📰 And what are we training these models to do, exactly? Well, unfortunately, to steal people's jobs and spread fake information. Each time we use these technologies, they get better and better at doing terrible things.
🛍 The use of AI generation breaks trust with consumers. Even if all of the above did not matter to me, your trust does. I will ensure all of my photos are accurate to my business, and I will ensure all of my art and products are made with love.
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Mugs 'N Mittens Cat Café will not be using any LLMs or generating any images or videos with AI. Everything you see here is made by a human, in some way or another. If you see a "AI Content" tag on a post, it is because I use Canva, and Facebook automatically flags Canva files as "AI". I will not stock anything in my gift shop generated by AI.
As an artist and as a business owner, this is my pledge to you.
- Morgan, owner of Mugs 'N Mittens Cat Café
